FAQs

How do I enter? What constitutes a complete submission?

All Applicants must complete the Submission Form on BigApps.NYC; completion of the Submission Form will constitute an official entry into the competition. All submissions must be completed by Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 11:59PM ET.

Am I eligible to compete?

BigApps is open to legal residents, ages 13 or older, of the 50 United States (plus the District of Columbia). All corporations or other organizations participating must be legally domiciled in the United States or incorporated in the United States at the time of entry.

We are an organization. Can we enter?

Organizations that have 20 employees or less and have not raised more than $500,000 in funding in the last 12 months for this particular solution may enter and compete for cash and in-kind prizes as well as post-competition support and implementation resources. If this particular solution is publicly available, it must not have been in the market for more than 12 months prior to time of submission to the Competition.

What kind of solutions am I allowed to submit?

BigApps is about more than just apps. Products may include web apps, mobile apps, data visualization tools, social media, games, or products considered a component of the “internet of things.” To be eligible to win, Solutions must address key challenges faced by New York City youth (ages 13-18), seniors (ages 65+), and immigrants.

Does my Solution have to be new for this competition?

No. As long as you meet all of the submission requirements outlined in the Terms & Conditions, you may submit an existing product. Note that the judges look for products that are adding something net new to the civic tech landscape, so your submission should be distinct from past BigApps winners, and to the extent possible, you should indicate new product features or functions completed during the competition.

I’m not a coder. Can I still participate?

Yes! BigApps is open to everyone, including engineers, designers, marketers, content creators, and anyone else interested in improving life of New York City youth, seniors, and immigrants through technology. Find a team using our platform or at the Ideation & Prototyping Workshops and get started on building your project!

Is there a limit to how many projects I can submit or participate in?

There is no limit to how many times an eligible person or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization.

Is there a limit to how many people I can have on my team? If my Solution wins a prize, will the prize money be split among the team members?

There is no limit to how many people can participate on a single team. If a team of individuals, or an organization is selected as a prize winner, the Administrator will issue prize money to the primary team member listed on the submission form. It will be up to the winning team or organization to allocate the prize money, if they deem it appropriate.

What are the key competition dates?

Civic Hall Labs will host a series of Ideation & Prototyping Workshops during the open submission phase. Check out the Workshop page on the website for details. The submission deadline is April 30, 2017 at 11:59 PM ET. Finalists will be announced in mid-May and invited to present their Solutions at the Final Pitch Day in late May (date TBD), where the competition judges will select three Grand Prize winners and one Judge’s Choice Award winner.

Can I enter the same Solution in multiple Challenge areas?

No. Each Solution shall only be submitted to one challenge. Only one Solution may win the Grand Prize for each Challenge area. Additionally, Applicants may submit multiple Solutions to the Competition, but each Applicant shall only be eligible for one Grand Prize.

Do I retain intellectual property ownership?

Yes, all entrants, regardless of winner status, will retain intellectual property ownership of their submissions. However, as a condition of entering the BigApps competition, City, Sponsor and Administrator will maintain a royalty-free license to: a) post the Submissions on BigApps.NYC; b) make the Solutions available for the course of the Competition and 12 months after the conclusion of the Competition; and c) use the Solutions for noncommercial purposes for a period of 12 months after the conclusion of the Competition Submission Period.

What will Team BigApps do with my submission?

The BigApps Sponsors and Administrator will have the right to display and promote your submission to the public on the NYC BigApps website and partner sites. They will also be allowed to publicize your name in connection with the submission and the NYC BigApps competition.

I don’t want to compete, but still want to get involved with BigApps. How else can I contribute to the competition?

There are many ways to get involved with BigApps besides entering the competition. You can sponsor the competition; contribute data & other resources; serve as a mentor or volunteer; and help promote BigApps. Email us at moc.sppagibcyn@ofni and let us know how you’d like to contribute!

I have more questions. How do I contact you?

Please email your questions to moc.sppagibcyn@ofni. We will do our best to respond within one to two business days.